The new Brazilian association for growers and exporters, Brazil Fresh Produce (BFP), was officially launched at Fruit Logistica.

The new group is a direct response to the Brazilian industry being dissatisfied with IBRAF and represents 50 per cent of the Brazilian fruit and vegetable sector.

BFP president Luiz Roberto Barcelos of Brazilian melon producer Agrícola Famosa explained to freshinfo that the Brazilian fresh produce industry was not happy with the way that IBRAF was managing financial support provided by the government.

He said: “There are 15 companies in our group that represent a range of products, like limes, papayas and melons, and we believe our market has a lot of potential. We would like to reveal a new face for the Brazilian fresh produce industry - this will include increasing our presence at exhibitions and shows, as well as making ourselves prominent in Europe and using the media as much as we can. We are determined to grow the exportation of fresh fruit, which only represents two per cent of the total fruit exported from Brazil at the moment.”

Barcelos maintains that one of the organisation’s first jobs is to establish a legal standard for Brazilian growers that will ensure that the industry considers a range of topics, such as corporate social responsibility, pesticide residues and sustainability.

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